Thanksgiving morning is one of the biggest running days of the year, with turkey trots in towns across the country. Ask runners who wear glasses about it and you will hear the same complaints: frames bouncing with every stride, lenses fogging in the cold morning air, sweat running under the lenses. Contact lens wearers have their own troubles: wind drying the lenses, grit, and the occasional lens that slides off center mid-race.
What vision correction does
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) explains that LASIK uses a laser to reshape the cornea so that light focuses properly on the retina, treating nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The goal is to reduce your need for glasses or contacts. The AAO reports that about 9 in 10 people who have LASIK end up with vision between 20/20 and 20/40 without glasses or contacts.
At our practice we also offer SMILE Pro, a keyhole procedure without a corneal flap, for nearsightedness with or without astigmatism, for patients 22 and older, and SMILE on an earlier laser platform. For runners who also play contact sports, a flapless option is often worth discussing.
Who is a good candidate
According to the AAO, candidates should be adults (ideally over 21) with a prescription that has been stable for about a year, healthy corneas that are thick enough, and realistic expectations. People with severe dry eye, thin or diseased corneas, keratoconus, uncontrolled diabetes, advanced glaucoma or a cataract affecting vision may not be candidates.
Recovery for runners
- Plan to rest the day of surgery; eyes may feel scratchy or burning for a few hours.
- You may wear a protective shield while sleeping for a few days.
- Ask your surgeon when you can return to running and when you can swim or sweat heavily near the eyes.
Honest side effects
The AAO notes that almost everyone has dry eyes and some fluctuating vision at first, usually fading within a month, though for some people it lasts longer. Glare, halos and other side effects can occur. Vision correction also does not prevent the normal age-related need for reading glasses after about 40.
Run safely either way
Wear UV-blocking sport sunglasses on bright mornings, and reflective gear if your race starts before sunrise.
Runners with glaucoma sometimes ask how exercise affects eye pressure; this glaucoma education blog covers glaucoma care topics.
Curious whether you are a candidate before next year’s race season? Start with a free VIP consult. Call our Westlake Village office at (805) 230-2126.
Source: LASIK — Laser Eye Surgery (American Academy of Ophthalmology, 11/5/2026). This article is an educational summary written by Khanna Vision Institute and is not a substitute for medical advice.